Welcome to Web-4: Database Fundamentals

Build Real Applications While Mastering Databases

Welcome to an exciting journey where you'll learn database fundamentals by building actual applications that you can use and share! Unlike traditional database courses that focus on theory and SQL scripts, this program takes a build-first approach where every concept you learn is immediately applied to create something real.

Web-4 Database Fundamentals - Session Logistics

Lesson	Topic	Objectives	Notes/File Link	Activities Link	Exit Ticket	Submission Link
1	What is a Database	• Understanding database purpose and definitions • Learning database history and evolution • Exploring relational vs. NoSQL database types • Creating a simple SQLite database	What is a Database Slides Program F2 Lesson Plan	SQLite Database Creation Target Data Breach Case Study	L1 Exit Ticket	L1 Worksheet Submission
2	Introduction to SQL	• Understanding SQL syntax and structure • Learning CRUD operations (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE) • Exploring table design and data types • Modifying sample databases	Introduction to SQL Slides	Employee Management Database Payroll System Case Study	L2 Exit Ticket	L2 Worksheet Submission
3	Querying Data with SELECT	• Understanding filtering, sorting, and limiting results • Learning logical operators (AND/OR) and pattern matching • Exploring real-world querying scenarios • Extracting insights from sales data	Querying with SELECT Slides	Sales Data Analysis	L3 Exit Ticket	L3 Worksheet Submission
4	Joins and Relationships	• Understanding primary/foreign keys and relational integrity • Learning INNER JOIN, LEFT JOIN, and FULL JOIN • Combining data from multiple tables • Building a library database	Joins and Relationships Slides	Library Database Management	L4 Exit Ticket	L4 Worksheet Submission
5	Aggregations and Grouping	• Understanding aggregate functions (SUM, COUNT, AVG) • Learning GROUP BY and HAVING clauses • Summarizing datasets effectively • Analyzing sales trends by category	Aggregations and Grouping Slides	Sales Performance Analysis	L5 Exit Ticket	L5 Worksheet Submission
6	Subqueries and Nested Queries	• Understanding subquery syntax and use cases • Learning correlated vs. non-correlated subqueries • Exploring multi-step data retrieval • Finding employees earning above average	Subqueries and Nested Queries Slides	Employee Salary Analysis	L6 Exit Ticket	L6 Worksheet Submission
7	Data Definition and Constraints	• Understanding schema design principles • Learning constraints (PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY, CHECK) • Exploring data integrity enforcement • Designing a school database schema	Data Definition and Constraints Slides	School Management Database	L7 Exit Ticket	L7 Worksheet Submission
8	Indexing and Query Optimization	• Understanding index types and use cases • Learning query execution plans • Exploring performance trade-offs • Optimizing slow queries	Indexing and Query Optimization Slides	Log Query Optimization	L8 Exit Ticket	L8 Worksheet Submission
9	Data Modeling, ER Diagrams, and Normalization	• Understanding ER diagram components • Learning normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF) • Reducing data redundancy • Modeling a hospital system	Data Modeling and Normalization Slides	Hospital System Modeling	L9 Exit Ticket	L9 Worksheet Submission
10	Advanced Schema Design and Denormalization	• Understanding denormalization trade-offs • Learning materialized views and star schemas • Exploring performance vs. integrity • Optimizing a reporting database	Advanced Schema Design Slides	Reporting Schema Optimization	L10 Exit Ticket	L10 Worksheet Submission
11	Transactions and Concurrency	• Understanding ACID properties • Learning isolation levels and locking • Exploring conflict resolution (deadlocks, dirty reads) • Simulating concurrent transactions	Transactions and Concurrency Slides	Concurrency Issues Simulation	L11 Exit Ticket	L11 Worksheet Submission
12	Quiz 1	• Assessment of SQL, normalization, and transactions • Evaluation of problem-solving and debugging skills • Testing understanding of core database concepts	-	L12 Quiz 1	-	L12 Quiz 1 Responses
13	Introduction to NoSQL	• Understanding NoSQL types and CAP theorem • Learning document database structure (MongoDB) • Exploring real-world NoSQL use cases • Designing a blog post document	Introduction to NoSQL Slides	Blog Platform with MongoDB	L13 Exit Ticket	L13 Worksheet Submission
14	Working with MongoDB	• Understanding MongoDB CRUD operations • Learning to query JSON documents • Exploring indexing in MongoDB • Building a movie collection	Working with MongoDB Slides	Movie Rating Platform	L14 Exit Ticket	L14 Worksheet Submission
15	Data Integration and ETL	• Understanding ETL workflows • Learning data cleaning and transformation • Exploring scripting with Python/pandas • Loading CSV data into SQLite	Data Integration and ETL Slides	Customer Data Integration	L15 Exit Ticket	L15 Worksheet Submission
16	Indexing and Performance in NoSQL	• Understanding NoSQL indexing strategies • Learning compound and text indexes • Exploring query optimization in MongoDB • Speeding up slow queries	NoSQL Indexing and Performance Slides	MongoDB Collection Optimization	L16 Exit Ticket	L16 Worksheet Submission
17	Security in Databases	• Understanding encryption and access control • Learning SQL injection prevention • Exploring auditing and user roles • Securing a PostgreSQL database	Database Security Slides	SQL Database Security Implementation	L17 Exit Ticket	L17 Worksheet Submission
18	Backup, Recovery, and Maintenance	• Understanding backup types (full, incremental) • Learning recovery procedures • Exploring maintenance tasks (vacuuming, indexing) • Restoring a MySQL backup	Backup Recovery and Maintenance Slides	MySQL Backups and Restores	L18 Exit Ticket	L18 Worksheet Submission
19	Cloud Databases and Scalability	• Understanding vertical vs. horizontal scaling • Learning cloud database deployment (AWS RDS) • Exploring replication and sharding • Deploying PostgreSQL on AWS	Cloud Databases and Scalability Slides	AWS RDS Cloud Database Deployment	L19 Exit Ticket	L19 Worksheet Submission
20	Data Warehousing and Big Data Basics	• Understanding star schemas and data lakes • Learning batch vs. stream processing • Exploring Hadoop/Spark basics • Designing a sales data warehouse	Data Warehousing and Big Data Slides	Data Warehouse Schema Design	L20 Exit Ticket	L20 Worksheet Submission
21	Quiz 2	• Assessment of NoSQL, security, and cloud concepts • Evaluation of troubleshooting and design skills • Testing advanced database knowledge	-	L21 Quiz 2	-	L21 Quiz 2 Responses
22	Capstone Project Setup	• Understanding problem discovery and user research • Learning to identify real-world problems worth solving • Exploring solution design and validation • Choosing your innovation path: - Build a Book Lending App - Create Your Own Online Store - Personal Health Tracker - Study Group Organizer - Database-Powered Innovation (Custom)	Innovation Projects	Problem Discovery & User Interviews	-	Project Proposal Submission
23	Capstone Project Development	• Understanding MVP development and user feedback • Learning to deploy real applications • Exploring user testing and iteration • Building solutions people actually use	Database-Powered Innovation	MVP Building & User Testing	-	Project Progress Submission
24	Presentation + Graduation	• Understanding impact measurement and user testimonials • Learning pitch presentation techniques • Exploring post-launch growth and scaling • Demoing live applications to real users	Graduation Activities	Live Demo Presentations Impact Showcase Final Feedback Form Student Testimonial	Submit Testimonial	Final Project Submission

Additional Resources

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

• Target's 2013 Data Breach
• Equifax Data Breach (2017)
• Netflix's Migration to NoSQL
• Spotify's Music Data Integration
• GitLab Database Deletion Incident (2017)
• Bank of America's Cloud Database Transition
• Walmart's Big Data Strategy

Reference Materials

• SQL Quick Reference
• NoSQL Quick Reference
• Database Design Best Practices
• Database Troubleshooting Guide

Tools and Platforms

• Supabase - PostgreSQL Cloud Database
• MongoDB Atlas - MongoDB Cloud Database
• PlanetScale - Serverless MySQL
• Vercel - Frontend Deployment
• Railway - Backend Deployment
• SQLite Browser - Local Database GUI
• MongoDB Compass - MongoDB GUI
• TablePlus - Modern Database GUI